The United States reportedly shot Chinese spy balloon that was believed to be drifting over the Atlantic Ocean. According to a China Morning Post, the balloon was shot down by an F-16 fighter jet in an operation coordinated by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

The incident reportedly took place near the US base on the island of Ascension, located near the equator between South America and Africa. It is believed that the balloon was sent by China to monitor the US base and collect information.

The US military has been on high alert after reports of increased Chinese activity in the region. US officials have been particularly concerned about Chinese activities in the South China Sea, where the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been aggressively asserting its claims.

The US military has also been closely monitoring China's space program, with satellites and drones being used to keep tabs on its activities. The US military is concerned that the Chinese could be using their space program to launch espionage activities, such as using spy balloons to monitor US military bases.

The US Department of Defense has refused to comment on the incident, but a statement from NORAD said that its “mission is to detect, deter, and track potential threats to North America, including foreign aircraft and objects flying in the region. NORAD will continue to monitor and respond to any such activity of concern.”

The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between the US and China over trade, technology and security issues. There have been reports of increased Chinese surveillance activities in the region, including the use of drones and high-altitude balloons to collect intelligence.

China has denied any involvement in the incident and has accused the US of “hyping up” the story. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said that “China does not conduct any form of aerial or maritime surveillance activities against any other country.”

The incident highlights the need for increased communication and cooperation between the US and China on military and security issues. The two countries must work together to ensure that their respective militaries understand and respect each other’s security concerns and interests.